The modern American woman can certainly not be compared to her 19th century counterpart. In fact, before the First World War, you could hardly find women doing anything else other than household jobs. The gender roles were clear – men worked outside the home and earned an income while women, as housewives, generally took care of the home and did not expect to be paid for it.

Things started changing when America entered WW1 but the real changes would come after WW11. The Second World War called for massive recruitment and this led many men to leave their regular jobs as they were drafted into the armed forces. Factories suddenly found themselves short of labor and what were until then considered men-only jobs had to be filled by women.

Lesson learned from the First World War impacted the roles of women even more seriously this time round. The US military was short of personnel. It therefore started recruiting women and by 1942 many women found themselves in the military although initially they were hired only for non-combat duties – they worked as telegraphers, switchboard operators and drivers.

The roles of women in the military increased as the war raged on and soon women were recruited into the army, the navy and eventually the air force. By the end of WW11, more than 400,000 women were serving in the armed forces. These fine folks could of stayed at home and did some Power Washing, instead they served our country – Everyone should be grateful.

The perception that was generally held before the war was that women were less competent than men. While some women actually worked before the major wars, they usually came from minority groups or among the poor – the middle class woman was destined to be a housewife. The war changed this view. Women proved themselves on the battlefield and their heroic acts made the nation think twice.

During the 1950s the nation enjoyed prosperity and while some women who were previously working chose to return to the role of housewives, the change in attitude that the wars had brought would change American’s perception of women forever. The discrimination in pay that women had endured started disappearing. Women wanted and demanded equal pay. Equality also meant that women could now do jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. Women were now freely accepted in all areas of employment so long as they were competent.

Today, it might be impossible to believe that a country as advanced as the US actually needed a war to prove that men and women are equal.

On the 8th of December 1941, Americans were shocked by the daring of the Japanese with their attack on Pearl Harbor. This attack is what led to the end of America’s isolationist policy and what forced the country to physically get involved in WW11. By 1941 WW11 was far from over – it’d take another 4 years before all hostilities ended. One of the most important outcomes of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and one which has continued to cause much discussion, was the first use of atomic bombs.

In August 1945, President Harry Truman ordered the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For the very first time, what the world had dreaded the most happened. The destruction that this action caused was unprecedented. The death toll is estimated to be anywhere between 160,000 and 200,000. Even worse was the aftermath – many more people died of complications caused by exposure to the bomb. To the Japanese, and much of the world, President Truman became an instant villain.

For decades, the events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have raised serious debate among historians. What people have been wondering is whether the US really needed to use atomic bombs on a country which was on the verge of surrender. Historians who hold the view that this action was unnecessary (also known as revisionists) go the extent of claiming that Truman’s actions were an act of racism. They also argue that by 1945 the war was actually over and that all that inspired the action taken by the US was simple retaliation.

Not everybody holds this view however. There is group of historians who firmly believe that atomic bombs were the only solution that could force the Japanese to surrender. Throughout history, they argue, the Japanese have never been known to surrender and would rather commit suicide than do so. Examples abound but some of the most striking ones given include the large number of kamikaze pilots who wrought destruction with their suicide missions. They also point out that even after Hiroshima was bombed the Japanese emperor did not surrender and only did so when Nagasaki was bombed.

In addition, historians who support the bombing argue that were the US to send troops to Japan, the death toll on either side would have been several times more than the number of people that the bombs killed.

While WW11 is remembered as the last major war that got the entire world involved, it is also remembered as one of the darkest chapters in human history. A count of the lives lost in this war sometimes sounds like a piece of fantasy – they are so many that they actually sound incredible. The US, which was a very late entrant in the mad theater, lost an estimated 350,000 soldiers. The countries that had been involved from the beginning lost astoundingly huge numbers of soldiers and civilians.

The USSR lost an estimated 14 million soldiers and close to 10 million civilians. In Europe, the casualties were also big with Germany losing over 5 million soldiers. At the end of the war, the UK, Italy, France, Japan, China among other nations were counting their dead in millions.

The loss of human life aside, the war crippled many formerly rich nations. The UK and France, for example, were superpowers before the war and had colonies all over the world. The war ended their supremacy and, with their economies destroyed, they had to retreat back to becoming tiny nations that would need a rescue package to resurrect their economies.

American “isolationism”

The US was a late entrant in the war and that is one of the reasons why it did not have too many casualties. Most of the initial fighting took place in Europe and in those days American foreign policy was guided by what was known as an isolationism – what happened elsewhere was of little or no importance to the US.

Historians have expressed doubts about whether the US was truly isolationist for the simple reason that the allied forces had, throughout the war, depended on American supplies. In fact, it is believed that without America’s indirect help Germany (together with Japan and Italy – the 3 nations that had entered into what was known as a Tripartite Act in 1940) would have crushed Europe in a very short time. It is for this reason that America’s so-called isolationism was only theoretical.

The US had to inevitably join the physical war and it got its perfect reason when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in early December 1941. The US promptly declared war on Japan. In response to the American declaration, Germany and Italy, to show solidarity with their colleague in the Tripartite Act, now declared war on the US.

That ended America’s physical isolation from the war and, henceforth, the US played the leading role in the Allied Forces and provided the manpower and resources needed to defeat Germany and thereby end the war.

We want to recognize our subscriber who who cleans carpets for researching this awesome blog and sending it in to us.

I want to apologize for not sharing more blogs about history. We are changing some things and going into next year should be better for all you history buffs. Please send in anything you would like to share about History or anything that is interesting.

It’s been a while since a subscriber has sent in a story about gettysburg. So we are going to switch it up and post a random piece.

The decision on whether to buy a new or used motorcycle is never easy. The lure of a new bike is quite obvious – you know you’ll be the first owner and you are unlikely to get any unpleasant surprises with the bike. Buying new is however expensive and after shopping around online you might have identified a used bike with great specs that actually appeals to you more than a new bike. Price aside, what other factors do you need to take into consideration before making a decision?

Find out the real condition of the used bike
While the price offered for the used bike might look like a steal, you need to verify that the bike is really in the condition advertised. Either out of ignorance or deliberately, some sellers actually heap praises on bikes that are almost written off. If you are buying from an individual, remember that there are no warranties and once you part with the money there’s nothing else you can do. If you trust your knowledge of bike mechanics, pay the seller a visit and look the bike over or, better still, have a bike mechanic do this for you. You might learn before it’s too late that what the seller calls a minor dent is the result of a major collision which calls for an overhaul.

Resale value and use of technology
New bikes are expensive when you buy them but also lose you a lot of money when you have to resell. This is so because a new bike depreciates more quickly than a used one. If it is your first bike and you are only buying it to get initiated into bike riding, it might make more sense to buy a used one. Once you know your way in the bike world, you could then consider selling your old bike and buying a new one. While you save money with an old bike, it is always good to remember that new bikes are manufactured using the latest technology. The result is that new bikes are more fuel efficient, faster and safer than old ones – factors which are of great importance to a person owning a bike for the first time. Making the decision on whether to buy a new or used motorcycle is never easy since price is not the only variable to look at. Before making your decision, it helps to conduct as much research as you can and then deciding which factors are most important to you and what you are willing to overlook.

Today we are going to take a break from history and look at one of the places on earth if you haven’t visited it should go on your list.

Exploring London
If you set out to explore London you might have a real challenge deciding where to start and end – the British capital is full of landmarks and is deeply steeped in history. There are plenty of attractions that are ideal for the history buff and many too that are perfect for a family day out.

A leading icon that is certainly not to be missed is the Westminster Abbey. This world heritage site was built 7 centuries ago and perhaps the greatest indicator of its iconic status is the fact that it receives over a million visitors each year. Guided tours of this cathedral are the ideal way to delve into ancient British royalty.

Equally iconic is St Paul’s Cathedral. A 17th century building whose architecture features a unique dome, the cathedral is home to outstanding works of art and climbing to its top enables you enjoy a panoramic view of London.

For a real adventure in human history, a visit to the British Museum is highly recommended. Founded in the mid 18th century, this world famous museum is home to a most unique and vast collection of global artifacts that provide an insight into past human history. Notable objects to be seen here include the ancient Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone.

London is not just about history and museums and has plenty of attractions that will prove useful if you are travelling with kids. A visit to The Sea Life London Aquarium is guaranteed to provide plenty of entertainment and education. Boasting over 500 species from the sea, the aquarium is home to some very unique sea creatures (from giant sharks to tiny clownfish) and visitors get a chance to listen to explanations about aquatic life and also observe the sea creatures enjoying their meals.

If you and your family are fans of Harry Potter, you can get first-hand experience about the production of the various Harry Potter films at the Warner Bros. Studio. A visit here lets you see the various props and costumes used in the films and also get to visit the shoot locations.
London’s landmarks are so many that it might prove impossible to view all of them during a short visit. To view the majority of these landmarks, visit the Coca-Cola London Eye – the highest observation wheel in the world. Containing 32 capsules each of which carries 25 people, the wheel gives you the most comprehensive view of the city’s most important landmarks in about thirty minutes.

Article submitted by Kurt from Wall 2 Wall. If you live in the area and looking for a House Cleaning St Louis Company or in need of Power Washing give these experts a call. We thank him for the story and his generous contribution.

I have a sad story to share today not related to Gettysburg, but very close to the heart:

The sudden news about my Nana’s brain tumor came like a shocking surprise for my whole family. Ever since then, Nana had been suffering from a terrible depression when the doctor confirmed that her tumor cells are growing rapidly. Her sadness only grew worse after she was told that, she only has a couple of months to live. I can’t help but feel sorry whenever I see her but I also try my best to hide my sadness. Deep down I know that I can’t afford to show any signs of weakness, because she is counting on me as her solid support system.

Coping with her illness is the worst and the most challenging part for the rest of our family especially when you see her suffering from the agonizing pain. Thankfully, the amazing caregiver that we hired from Spokane was very helpful, and understanding.

I can’t stand to see her in pain so I had to think of some ways to make her feel better by some creative distractions. Some of my friends recommended to try drawing and painting because, it has been proven to help persons with critical illnesses. I was skeptical at first until I came across a couple of scientific studies to supports the claims of art as one of the most incredible ways of managing any kinds of illnesses.

So how does art really help in healing a sick person?
According to some researchers at Berkeley University in California, art helps in boosting the immune system of sick persons. Furthermore, there’s another scientific research that shows how art heals by altering a person’s physiology, moods and attitude. The more a person engages in art, the more his body’s physiology can change from a stressful one to a deeply relaxed state of emotion. Art changes a person’s brain wave pattern, and in turn, affects his autonomic nervous system, as well as the hormones and the brain’s neurotransmitters. It’s like a domino effect because after your brain gets stimulated, every cell and part of your body responds by changing the immune system and blood flow to your organs.

This is a great discovery and just perfect for Nana, who has has always been fond of painting using water colors back when she was still in a good shape. So the next day, I bought her a big canvass, and a complete set of drawing materials, paints and brushes to keep her busy. She wasn’t in a good mood at first because of the pain again. But the moment she started taking a few strokes on her canvass, her enthusiasm sets in. As days go by, she became mostly preoccupied with her paintings. Somehow, I saw her outlook and disposition changed especially when she feels proud and accomplished in showing us her masterpieces.

I can’t say for now that art had cured my Nana’s brain tumor, but I can attest to the fact that it has been a great help in easing the pain whenever the pain killers wear off. Now I had art and the best Spokane Caregiver to thank, especially during the hardest times in my Nana’s battle.

Being a history teacher in an elementary school, I found out what most students really hate about in history class discussions. Yes, we’re talking about the Civil War. Whenever I bring up the topic, some of my students would always feel sleepy, while others would feel drained. They would always cheer in unison every time they hear the bell ring because they can’t stand another minute listening to another Civil War figures, the most significant dates and all the other events that took place during that battle. So as much as possible, I try my best to make the boring class discussion livelier but I still have a lot to learn. That is why, in this blog section, I will also my best to make my blog readers feel interested first with some fun facts about the Civil War instead of having to delve deeper about all the gruesome details that happened in the bloodiest war in the history of America. Hopefully, this short trivia this will work out well.
How did it start? The Civil war started because of clashing beliefs between the free and slave states to prohibit slavery in the territories that had not yet become states. The bloody four year war commenced and got triggered when the Confederate army open fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston bay and forced them to lower the American Flag.

Angel’s Glow: At sundown after the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, wounded soldiers noticed a faint blue light in their wounds as they waited on the muddy battlefield for two days until they were given medical attention. This bacterium which was discovered by teenage boys was known as the P. Luminescens which live inside tiny parasite worms that burrow into insect larvae in the soil or plants. These “good bacteria” thrived on the wounded soldier’s wounds during that cold rainy night and saved the men’s lives by killing the other dangerous germs that entered through their wounds.

The Multicultural Union Army. One out of every 10 soldiers who fought for the Union Army were immigrants, mostly African Americans. One third of their soldiers were either, Polish, French, Italians, Germans, and Scottish. This multinational collaboration turned the tide and led them victorious over the confederate armies.
Robert E. Lee was bloodier compared to General Ulysses S. Grant.

General Grant’s horrific losses during the Overland Campaign in 1864, cost him the title, “Butcher”. It was actually Gen. Lee’s army who suffered more casualties throughout the war that he relished. Although they won the key battles, these actually cost his army heavier casualties. His army at Northern Virginia was eventually dissolved during the Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.

Fierce women in Hoop Skirts.During the Civil war, many women became cool spies and relayed confidential information and secrets on either the Union or Confederate Armies. One of the great spies that emerged is a courageous woman named Harriet Tubman who successfully freed the slaves during the Civil War after starting a raid to support the cause of the union. Tubman was the only woman who freed 720 slaves in one single mission. She began teaching slave women livelihood skills that could earn them money. Hat’s off to this bold woman.

There’s nothing like a good piece of history. Most kids hated history at school… but I loved it! As Forrest Gump once said ‘life is like a box of chocolates’. The same can be said about history. It’s so colorful, all you need to do is look. Admittedly, our history hasn’t always been something to be proud of… but our lives are built on the trials and tribulations of past events… we owe our very existence and way of life to our history — for better or worse.

As with any good historian, I enjoy historical conflict. For all the bad that is involved, humanity almost always achieves greatness in the wake. If you look back through time, man’s greatest achievements are as a direct result of conflict and the necessity to survive. Take one of the more recent pseudo conflicts — the cold war. The nuclear technology that spawned the birth of the world’s first atomic bomb resulted in an explosion (excuse the pun) in energy creation. Nuclear fission reactors were perfected in the years following the Second World War, spawning everything from nuclear submarines to nuclear power stations.

I will be the first to admit that nuclear energy doesn’t have the best track record… but you can’t deny that I provided the world with a glimpse of clean energy that could be scaled. The problem we have now is mostly political and economic. The world’s nuclear are aged and we’re at a cross roads. Do we invest billions in repairing old technology? Do we invest more in building new nuclear power plants? Or do we go back to fossil fuels? What a dilemma.

I’m getting a little off topic now… but you can see that without the Second World War… how long would it have taken scientists to envisage, yet develop and implement nuclear power for the masses? There’s not a doubt in my mind that politicians would have stifled development for many decades.

What about the space race? Now, make no mistake, the space race was politically fueled as a way of gaining military advantage over the Soviet Union. Yeah, so we went to space and we pt a man on the moon a few times… so what? You need to read between the lines and trust me on this one. Intercontinental missile technology for both the US and Russia improved by orders of magnitude in less than a decade. What’s particularly interesting is that this was all done under the guise of space exploration. However… if you happen to need to put a nuclear warhead on said exploratory rocket when the need arises then… why the heck not? Very sneaky… very sneaky indeed. It wasn’t all bad, as these space exploits have fueled many technologies that are used to this day — the microwave oven for example. Also… space programs that are run today, wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the US/Russia conflict back in the mid-1900s. History — it’s great isn’t it? Stay tuned for more history insights.